Great Expectations
Academically, I wanted to be challenged - in a different way. My four week intensive course was just that! Each week was a different subject - the History of Science, Physics, Ecology, and Geology of Britain. Academics are completely different over here. It is much less focused and guided with professors telling you to read pages 1-50 for the next class discussion. It is very independent, and a lot of the learning is up to the student. Growing up in a very focused and guided academic environment provides for quite the challenge in gettng motivated to be a more independent learner. It is an interesting challenge however! I think experiencing as much as one can is the best tool for learning and for being a well-rounded, open-minded person, and I am excited to experience this challenge in the upcoming fall term!
As far as personal expectations, it's much more broad. Everything, including us, is constantly changing, and most of the time we don't even realize it. No matter what environment one is in, they change. Putting myself in a challenging or different situation makes for an experience that allows me to really see how and why I'm changing. Like I said, experience is the best tool for life and having any type of new experience allows me to understand more about myself. You really don't need to leave your backyard to have new experiences. To me, life itself is a constant experience - it's just what you make of it, I just chose to come to a different country. As I live a mere four months in this new place and situation I plan on just living, and I expect great things to come out of it.